Valerie Fox

I can certainly relate to the concept of Insomniatic, as I have suffered with insomnia frequently in my life. It is what we experience, what we think about during these bouts of insomnia that this collection so aptly captures. Taking a cue from this line from the synopsis..."asking the reader to question what is a dream state and what does it mean to be awake," I think about that moment when you finally doze off and you have a dream that is so vivid, it jolts you awake and insomnia sets in once again.

This poem, Insomnia, spoke to me the most from the collection because I felt it applies to the current state of things in our great country (and let's face it...it's one of the topics one thinks about during bouts of insomnia, and quite possibly a topic that gives one nightmares, at least in my case). Perhaps I've interpreted the meaning incorrectly, but this is what it means to me. Particularly, "someone's personal Dark Age is looming across the countryside."

I recommend this to anyone who likes poetry that makes you think. Thanks to the poet for stretching my brain muscle.

(I received this book free of charge from the author or publisher.)… (meer)

The Rorschach Factory by Valerie Fox is a collection of poems that are left up to the interpretation of the reader in many cases. Much like the inkblot test, these poems provide snippets of color, image, and story to provide an outline for readers, and those readers are then tasked with filling in the blanks and interpreting what is there. Some poems seem to carry a personal history in many of the lines, while others are whimsical in their interpretations of pop culture and real-life relationships.

From “This Is Not My Cousin” (page 9):
This is not the sensational human
condition. God is not in the picture
just me and trees and my cousin’s shadow.
We like how I am standing on the high place
a smiling paperdoll propped up on the edge
about to step back, waving to Columbus.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/03/the-rorschach-factory-by-valerie-fox.html… (meer)